What to Serve with Fried Cabbage – 15 Tasty Ideas
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Get ready for some great ideas of what to serve with fried cabbage! Fried cabbage is a delicious dish with rich and savory flavors that pair really well with a variety of delicious and easy-to-make options.
From creamy mashed potatoes to tangy coleslaw, you’ll find main course ideas and side dishes to serve alongside fried cabbage to make a complete meal. I’ve got something for everyone’s taste buds. Grab a delicious Southern fried cabbage recipe and find a delicious pairing or two in the list below.
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What is Fried Cabbage?
Fried cabbage is a delicious side dish made by cooking fresh cabbage in some type of fat or oil, usually butter, olive oil, or the fat of whatever meat you’re serving with the cabbage until it gets soft and a little crispy around the edges.
A lot of recipes call for cooking the cabbage in the grease of cooked bacon. It’s technically more like sautéed cabbage than it is fried, but it’s popularly referred to as fried.
Fried cabbage is my favorite way to eat cabbage, especially when it’s made in a cast-iron skillet and it’s a popular side dish in many cultures!
It’s usually seasoned with spices like black pepper, red pepper flakes, or other simple ingredients like garlic to add flavor. Pan-fried cabbage is typically made with a head of green cabbage, like napa cabbage, but it can also be made with red cabbage or even purple cabbage.
What to Serve With Fried Cabbage
1. Smoked Sausage
Smoked sausage is one of the best side dishes to serve with fried cabbage, in my opinion. The smoky, savory flavors of smoked sausage pair perfectly with the crispy and slightly sweet fried cabbage.
2. Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Creamy mashed potatoes with garlic and a little sour cream add a comforting and hearty element to the dish. The garlic adds a nice kick of flavor which makes it the perfect dish to serve with cabbage since cabbage tends to have a more mild flavor.
3. Cornbread
The sweetness and slightly grainy texture of cornbread is a great contrast to the crispy cabbage. A side of cornbread is a great way to complete any meal!
4. Barbecue Pulled Pork
The tangy and rich flavors of barbecue pulled pork makes it a great accompaniment to the fried cabbage. Serve it on its own or in a pulled pork sandwich.
5. Grilled Marinated Chicken
The delicious flavor of tender and juicy grilled chicken complements the crunchiness of fried cabbage. Neither are particularly bold flavors, but they are delicious and satisfying together.
6. Maple Roasted Carrots
The earthy sweetness of roasted carrots pairs well with the savory fried cabbage. Whether you make them sweet or savory, a simple side dish of roast carrots will add a lot of flavor as a side to your fried cabbage.
7. Baked Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a delicious side dish that most people would agree can be served with just about anything. A classic comfort food, creamy mac and cheese adds a rich and indulgent element to the dish. The combination of cheese and cabbage is surprisingly delicious.
You can make slow cooker mac and cheese as an alternative if you’re short on time and want to prep ahead of dinner time.
8. Baked Ham
The salty and smoky flavors of baked ham cut through the sweetness of the fried cabbage.
9. Fried Apples
The sweetness and tanginess of the fried apples add a burst of flavor to the dish. This is a great easy side dish to serve alongside cabbage and smoked sausage.
10. Brown Sugar Brussels Sprouts
Another member of the cabbage family, the roasted Brussels sprouts add a different flavor and texture to the dish and have a sweet and savory flavor from the bacon and brown sugar.
11. Pork Chops
The hearty and savory flavors of baked pork chops make a great accompaniment to the fried cabbage. Cooking pork chops and cabbage together in a large cast iron dutch oven or in a cast iron skillet is a great way to add tons of flavor as the cabbage cooks with the meat and seasonings.
12. Creamy Coleslaw
A perfect side dish for a summer barbecue, creamy coleslaw adds a cool and refreshing element to the dish. The crunchiness of this quick side dish also adds a nice texture contrast. This traditional Southern side dish is an easy recipe that’s full of flavor that goes a long way for elevating the meal but keeps it on the lighter side.
13. Grilled Grouper
The healthy and flavorful option of grilled grouper with lime pairs well with the crispy and sweet fried cabbage.
14. Baked Beans
A classic side dish, baked beans provide a sweet and smoky flavor to the dish. Beans are a nice and filling side for a complete meal with something like pork chops. For an even heartier version try calico baked beans.
15. Corned Beef
Corned beef is a traditional food served on St. Patrick’s Day, typically with cabbage and potatoes. Usually the cabbage is steamed, but there are no rules that say you can’t use sauteed cabbage.
